Counter apparatus particularly adapted for use by surveyors



Jan. 8, 1963 M. J. o'comr-z ETAL COUNTER APPARATUS PARTICULARLY ADAPTEDFOR USE BY SURVEYQRS Filed April 27, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1963 M. J.O'COINE ETAL. 3,072,330

COUNTER APPARATUS PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE BY suRvEYoRs Filed April27, 1960 2 Sheets-She et 2 /&

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United States Patent 3,072,330 COUNTER APPARATUS PARTICULARLY ADAPTEDFOR USE BY SURVEYORS Marshall J. OCoine, 609 Coventry Circle; Edward E-Johnson, 1104 14th St. SE.; and Benjamin H. Warren,

Jr., 1192 th St. SW., all of Moultrie, Ga.

Filed Apr. 27, 1960, Ser. No. 24,931 3 Claims. (Cl. 235-91) Thisinvention relates to counters and has more particular reference to acounter device particularly adapted for use in survey work to help thesurveyor in reducing his level notes.

The usual procedure of a surveyor or engineer for taking profile levelsis as follows:

The level is set up and a rod reading is taken on a bench mark of aknown elevation; this reading is known as a plus reading and is added tothe known elevation of the bench mark to get the height of theinstrument, then, readings are taken on the ground or other surfaces onwhich elevations are required. These readings are called minus readingsand are subtracted from the height of the instrument to determine thecorresponding .ground or surface elevations. When a great number ofthese readings are required, as in cross section or topographicallevels, the reducing of the notes becomes a drudgery.

One object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improvedcounter device, one particularly adapted to be used by a surveyor inreducing his level notes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a counter device includingparallel counter mechanism and a gear train actuated by a working wheelfor operating both counter mechanisms.

Another object of the invention is to provide a counter device, ascharacterized above, including means for disengaging one of said countermechanisms from operation by the gear train.

Another object of the invention is to provide a counter device, ascharacterized above, wherein the numbering on the counter mechanismsincrease in the same direction but the gear train is so arranged thatwhen both counter mechanisms are engaged to be operated by the geartrain, the numbering on one counter mechanism increases while the otherdecreases.

A further object of the invention is to provide a counter device whichis simple in construction, portable, and eflicient in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in thefollowing specification when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a counter constructedin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4,inclusive, one embodiment of a counter device constructed in accordancewith the present invention and particularly designed for use bysurveyors and engineers in reducing their level notes. As there shown,the counter device comprises a rectangular case or housing, indicatedgenerally at a rectangular frame member 11 mounted within the case 10; apair of counter mechanisms, indicated generally at .12 and 13, havingthe ends of their operating shafts 14 and 15, respectively, journaled inthe side walls of the frame member 11; a

gear train mechanism, indicated generally at 16, mounted in andsupported by the frame 11 for operating the counter mechanisms '12 and13; and a disengage button 17 mounted on one of the shafts of the geartrain mechanism for disengaging counter mechanism 13 from operation bythe gear train.

' The casing 10 may be made of any suitable light weight material suchas light weight metal or plastic and is shown as being made in twopieces, a base or bottom plate 18 and a top or cover member 19, suitablysecured together as by screws. The cover member 19 is provided with anelongated rectangular opening 20 adjacent one end through which projectsthe upper part of the working wheel of the gear train mechanism foroperating the two counter mechanisms, and adjacent its other end with aspaced parallel pair of elongated rectangular openings 20, 21, eachcovered by a transparent covering, through which are visible the digitdrums of the counter mechanisms 12 and 13. One side wall of the covermember is provided with an opening 22 through which projects thedisengaging button 17. The bottom end wall of the case may be providedwith an apertured ear 23 to receive a strap for suspending the devicefrom the neck of the user of the device.

The frame member 11 may be made of the same kind of material as the caseand is suitably secured on the base plate 18 of the case.

The counter mechanisms 12 and 13 may be of any suitable usual commercialtype and their housings are shown as being secured to the cover member19 with their operating shafts suitably journaled in the side walls ofthe frame 11. The numbering on the digit drums of the two countermechanisms increases in the same direction, yet, and for a purpose to behereinafter explained, one of the counters increases while the otherdecreases when they both are engaged to be operated by the gear train16. The operating shaft 14 of counter mechanism 12 has a pinion 24 onone end and the operating shaft 15 of counter mechanism 13 has a pinion25 on one end adjacent the pinion 24 on shaft 14.

The two counter assemblies are operated by the gear train mechanism 16which, in turn, is actuated by a thumb operated working wheel 26projecting upwardly through an opening in the top wall of the case 10*.The working wheel 26 is keyed on one end of a shaft 27 having a gear 28keyed on its other end. The gear 28 is positioned to engage a gear 29keyed on the shaft 30. The gear 29 is positioned to engage a pinion 31keyed on one end of a shaft 32 having a gear 33 keyed on its other end.The gear 33 is positioned to engage a pinion 34 keyed on a shaft 35which has a gear 36 keyed on its other end. The gear 36 is positioned toengage a gear 37 keyed on a shaft 38 as well as the pinion 24 on theoperating shaft 14 of counter assembly 12. The gear 37 on shaft 38 ispositioned to engage the pinion 25 on shaft 15 to operate the counterassembly 13. The shaft 38, as best seen in FIG. 4, has its outer endextending through the side wall of the frame 11 and through the hole 22in the side wall of the case 10 and has the disengaging button 17secured thereon. The inner end of the shaft 38 is journaled and slidablyextends into a small cylinder 39 and its end connected to a disc 40operating against a coil spring 41 which normally keeps the disc 40 in aposition in which the disengaging button 17 protrudes through the hole22 in the case 10 and the gear 37 is in engagement with the gear 36 onshaft 35. When the disengaging button is pushed inwardly against thepressure of the spring 41, the gear 37, while remaining in engagementwith the pinion 25 on shaft 15, is moved out of engagement with the gear36 on shaft 35. This disengagement permits counter mechanism 12 to beoperated by the work wheel 26 without operating counter mechanism 13.

The shafts 35 and 38 are the drive shafts for the counter mechanisms andare positioned below and parallel thereto.

The shafts 27, 30, 32, 35 and 38 have their ends suitably journaled inthe side walls of the frame 11. The gear Wheels 28, 29, 33, 36 and 3'7are of the same diameter and have the same number of teeth. The pinions24, 25, 31 and 34 are of the same diameter and have the same number ofteeth. The step up ratio of the gears is to cause the counters to turnat a greater speed than the working wheel, thus reducing the timerequired to make the calculation.

It should be noted that while the numbering on the counters increases inthe same direction, however, by the particular arrangement of the gears,when both counters are engaged and the working wheel is turned to theleft as viewed in FIG. 3, or downward as viewed in FIG. 1, the numberingon counter 13 increases while the numbering on counter 12 decreases.Similarly, when the working wheel is turned to the right as viewed inFIG. 3, or downwardly as viewed in FIG. 1, the numbering on counter 13decreases while the numbering on counter 12 increases.

in the usual procedure for taking profile levels, the level is set upand a rod reading is taken on a B.M. (bench mark) of a known elevation.This reading is known as a plus reading and is added to the knownelevation of the B.M. (bench mark) to get the H.I. (height of the instrument). Then, readings are taken on the ground or other surface on whichelevations are required. These readings are called minus readings andare subtracted from the H.I. (height of instrument), to determine thecorresponding ground or surface elevations. When a great number of thesereadings are required, as in cross-section or topographical levels, thereducing of the notes becomes a drudgery.

The manner in which the counter device is employed by a surveyor whentaking profile levels to assist him in reducing his level notes is asfollows:

First, with both counters registering 000.0 0, the bench mark elevationis put into the machine to be registered on the top counter 13. This isdone by turning the working wheel 26 downwardly to operate the geartrain to turn the counter 13. Next, the disengaging knob 17 is pushed inand held in while the rod reading is put into the machine bymanipulation of work wheel 26 to be registered on the bottom counter 12.The disengaging knob 17 is then released and the two counters checked tosee that the top counter 13 records the bench mark and the bottomcounter 12 records the plus rod reading. The working wheel is thenturned downwardly until the bottom counter 12 reads zero. Then, the rodreading will have been added to the top counter 13, giving the H.I.(height of the instrument). After this has been done, any number ofminus rod readings can then be set on the bottom counter 12 and thecorresponding ground or surface elevation can be read directly on thetop counter 13, thus eliminating much tedious work. Obviously, thedevice can be used for many other useful purposes, as for example, whensetting grades for paving, when the elevation is known and the rodreading is required.- In such case, the H.I. (height of the instrument)is obtained as explained above, then, with the counter 13 showing H.I.and the bottom counter 12 showing 00.00, the elevation required is putinto the top counter 13 by operating the work wheel 26, and then thebottom counter 12 will give the rod reading to be set for thatparticular grade.

From the foregoing, it readily will be apparent that there has beenprovided a novel and improved counter device, one that is particularlyadapted for use by a surveyor or engineer in reducing his level notes orin setting grades for paving, and one that is simple and economical inconstruction, portable, and eflicient in operation.

Obviously, the invention is not restricted to the particular embodimentthereof herein shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable manually operated calculating device for use in reducingsurveying level notes comprising a casing; a first counter mechanismadapted to have the height of instrument readings set thereon and asecond counter mechanism adapted to have successive rod readings setthereon mounted in said casing in parallel relation; gearing forrotating said second counter mechanism in either direction including ashaft having a manually operated work wheel secured thereon for rotationof the shaft; said first counter mechanism having a pinion gear securedon its operating shaft adjacent one end; said second counter mechanismincluding an operating shaft having a pinion secured thereon adjacentone end and opposite the pinion gear on the operating shaft of saidfirst counter mechanism; gearing means connecting the two countermechanisms for simultaneous operation including a first drive shafthaving a gear secured on one end thereof in engagement with the piniongear on the operating. shaft of said first counter mechanism and asecond drive shaft having a gear secured thereon on one end thereof inengagement with the gear on said first drive shaft and the pinion gearon the operating shaft of said second counter mechanism; said gearingmeans connecting the two counter mechanisms for simultaneous operationsbeing so constructed and arranged that when the second counter mechanismincreases the first counter mechanism decreases and when the secondcounter mechanism decreases the first counter mechanism increases; anddisengaging mechanism including means for longitudinally moving saidfirst drive shaft in its hearings to bring the gear mounted thereon intoand out of engagement with the gear on said second drive shaft, theconstruction and arrangement being such that after the height ofinstrument readings has been set on the first counter mechanism thefirst counter mechanism can be disconnectedto permit the second countermechanism to be turned back to zero without disturbing the readings onthe first counter mechanism, then with both counter mechanismsreconnected for simultaneous operation successive minus rod readingsplaced on the second counter mechanism automatically change the readingson the first counter mechanismv so that it will give the elevationcorresponding torod readings.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means forlongitudinally moving said first drive shaft comprises resilient meansnormally holding said first drive shaft in a position in which the gearthereon engages the gear on said second drive shaft, and a disengagingbutton on the outer end of the first drive shaft for pushing the shaftto a position in which the gear thereon is moved out of engagement withthe gear on the second drive shaft.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the counter mechanisms andall the gearing connected therewith are mounted in said casing andwherein said casing is provided with transparent openings, eachpositioned above one of the counter mechanisms, an opening through whichprojects a portion of said work wheel, and an opening through whichprojects said disengaging button.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,361,949 Wittnebert Dec. 14, 1920 1,418,384 Marbel June 6, 19222,099,463 Bradley Nov. 16, 1937 2,286,825 Moriarty June 9, 19422,495,502 Apple Jan. 24, 1950 2,510,391 Evans June 6, 1950 2,824,696Norwood Feb. 25, 1958 2,911,148 Lowell Nov. 3, 1959 3 ,024,984 SkurnerMar. 13, 1962

1. A PORTABLE MANUALLY OPERATED CALCULATING DEVICE FOR USE IN REDUCINGSURVEYING LEVEL NOTES COMPRISING A CASING; A FIRST COUNTER MECHANISMADAPTED TO HAVE THE HEIGHT OF INSTRUMENT READINGS SET THEREON AND ASECOND COUNTER MECHANISM ADAPTED TO HAVE SUCCESSIVE ROD READINGS SETTHEREON MOUNTED IN SAID CASING IN PARALLEL RELATION; GEARING FORROTATING SAID SECOND COUNTER MECHANISM IN EITHER DIRECTION INCLUDING ASHAFT HAVING A MANUALLY OPERATED WORK WHEEL SECURED THEREON FOR ROTATIONOF THE SHAFT; SAID FIRST COUNTER MECHANISM HAVING A PINION GEAR SECUREDON ITS OPERATING SHAFT ADJACENT ONE END; SAID SECOND COUNTER MECHANISMINCLUDING AN OPERATING SHAFT HAVING A PINION SECURED THEREON ADJACENTONE END AND OPPOSITE THE PINION GEAR ON THE OPERATING SHAFT OF SAIDFIRST COUNTER MECHANISM; GEARING MEANS CONNECTING THE TWO COUNTERMECHANISM FOR SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION INCLUDING A FIRST DRIVE SHAFTHAVING A GEAR SECURED ON ONE END THEREOF IN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PINIONGEAR ON THE OPERATING SHAFT OF SAID FIRST COUNTER MECHANISM AND A SECONDDRIVE SHAFT HAVING A GEAR SECURED THEREON ON ONE END THEREOF INENGAGEMENT WITH THE GEAR ON SAID FIRST DRIVE SHAFT AND THE PINION GEARON THE OPERATING SHAFT OF SAID SECOND COUNTER MECHANISM; SAID GEARINGMEANS CONNECTING THE TWO COUNTER MECHANISMS FOR SIMULTANEOUS OPERATIONSBEING SO CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED THAT WHEN THE SECOND COUNTER MECHANISMINCREASES THE FIRST COUNTER MECHANISM DECREASES AND WHEN THE SECONDCOUNTER MECHANISM DECREASES THE FIRST COUNTER MECHANISM INCREASES; ANDDISENGAGING MECHANISM INCLUDING MEANS FOR LONGITUDINALLY MOVING SAIDFIRST DRIVE SHAFT IN ITS BEARINGS TO BRING THE GEAR MOUNTED THEREON INTOAND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE GEAR ON SAID SECOND DRIVE SHAFT, THECONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT BEING SUCH THAT AFTER THE HEIGHT OFINSTRUMENT READINGS HAS BEEN SET ON THE FIRST COUNTER MECHANISM THEFIRST COUNTER MECHANISM CAN BE DISCONNECTED TO PERMIT THE SECOND COUNTERMECHANISM TO BE TURNED BACK TO ZERO WITHOUT DISTURBING THE READINGS ONTHE FIRST COUNTER MECHANISM, THEN WITH BOTH COUNTER MECHANISMSRECONNECTED FOR SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION SUCCESSIVE MINUS ROD READINGSPLACED ON THE SECOND COUNTER MECHANISM AUTOMATICALLY CHANGE THE READINGSON THE FIRST COUNTER MECHANISM SO THAT IT WILL GIVE THE ELEVATIONCORRESPONDING TO ROD READINGS.